Royale Sabre - Take two!

[peterux]

Originally Posted by Mitchelkitman

Maybe bicycle plastic tyre lever(s) used (in preference to steel ones) for removing tyres from aluminium cycle rims!

Great idea, I'll try one, thanks.
EDIT: I've tried one now and it works a treat.

[Grey V8 Pete]

Good to see the continuing high standard of workmanship.

Just a suggestion gleaned from my Classic car. If you lift the pry lever to remove the hub cap then any scuffing will be from the tip of the tool, so on the paint that is hidden under the cap when it is refitted. If you push down on the lever then any scuffing will probably be visible.

[Mitchelkitman]

Originally Posted by peterux

Great idea, I'll try one, thanks.
EDIT: I've tried one now and it works a treat.

I'm pleased at the success. The old-style tyre levers aren't entirely redundant as they are good for opening paint tins...... the lids of which seem to get thinner every time I buy a new tin!

[peterux]

Well, the gates are fitted but not a lot of progress on my Sabre but here are some bits and pieces I've done.

Going back to the door lock electronics, once you've connected all the wires up, there ends up with quite a jungle of wires between the two door locking control modules so I have mounted them on this small panel and hard wired the connections between the two.

Remote door locking control by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

The small one is for the door locks and the larger one is for the remote radio fobs. With hindsight I should have mounted the fuses further downstream where they will be more accessible, so I'll probably end up changing that. The panel is just a piece of thin plywood that has been coated in exterior stain to seal it.

You can't see it, but the control panel sits out of harms way here between the inner and out door sills here.........

Remote door locking control by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

I had some more bits chromium plated as the original plating was either worn, tarnished or in poor condition. Technically, I didn't need to get the door stays chromed but it was cheaper than zinc plating for just those two bits. The hood locking escutcheons weren't plated at all originally.

Chromed parts by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

I've loosely fitted the door lock striker. To be adjusted when the door is fitted.

Door lock striker by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

For those who may be interested, this is the back of the door lock striker showing how the bracket is fixed to the chassis 'B' post.

Door lock striker by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

That's all for now..................

................peter

[Mister Towed]

Looking good, Peter, I now have a similar control box for the locks on my Speedster so thanks for the tip.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to have your small parts chromed? (ooh-er, missus...)

I've been watching classic car restoration programmes like Car SOS and Vintage Voltage and they typically pay around a grand to have a couple of bumpers prepped and chromed. I know it's a complex process but that sounds awfully expensive to me.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by Mister Towed

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to have your small parts chromed? (ooh-er, missus...)

No I don't mind you asking. The collection of small parts (shown above) cost me 140 GB pounds plus VAT. The door parts were previously zinc plated but had rusted so it must have been poor. The bar at the bottom is the chrome strip off the boot and is about 2 foot long. It sounds expensive but these parts had to be stripped and then polished before the chrome plating. The quote process is interesting as the guy stares at the parts and then does some mental arithmetic before coming up with the price.
Previously, I had two quarter bumpers (that had rusted badly) and four light plinths re-plated and that cost 260 GB pounds plus VAT.

Bling by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

I've been very pleased with the quality of both jobs.

[MartinClan]

Originally Posted by peterux

Bling by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

I've been very pleased with the quality of both jobs.

They do look immaculate!
Cheers, Robin

[Mister Towed]

Thanks for the update and they do look fantastic.

That's a lot less than I thought it would be based on what the professional telly restorers usually get charged. I have a Mk2 Spitfire waiting in the wings for a rebuild and its bumpers are original and rare but quite pitted, so I'll be looking to have them stripped and chromed when the time comes. Hopefully that will be cheaper than an aftermarket set of stainless steel bumpers (about 800gbp) and look much more authentic.

[Mitchelkitman]

Years ago... It must have been about 1985 I attended a Classic car show in London (Earl's court?). Anyway, there were lots of gadgets there. I recall an automatic battery (2 xAA ) dipping mirror, and more pertinently a liquid chrome that could be applied with a cloth! I was (as you'd expect) highly sceptical - I offered the guy a 2p coin, and he coated half of one side. It looked good and 'chromey' to my eyes at the time, maybe it was more like nickel? but it looked good. I kept the coin in my pocket for several months, and it still looked good, never tarnished. I put water on it etc, and it stayed good. The liquid (which I don't recall being a ridiculous price at the time) could now prove useful. Brass or copper bumpers on a DIY basis, and coated with 'chrome'. Did the product disappeared?

[peterux]

Here's a clue why there has been no updates lately..........

My other project by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

New art studio for my wife.

[kon]

you got stuck on the roof? that's rough, the weather's been miserable. glad to see they keep bringing you tea at least

[peterux]

Originally Posted by kon

you got stuck on the roof? that's rough, the weather's been miserable. glad to see they keep bringing you tea at least

[Grey V8 Pete]

That’s a smart bit of (wooden) kit you have built there! Looks like the same high quality of construction that you demonstrate on the Sabre build! A man cave and now a wife cave! The ultimate bliss! Looking forward to the next car update! Peter.

[oxford1360]

That looks like a Dunster House.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by oxford1360

That looks like a Dunster House.

It is indeed!